Phils, Rockies have seen left-field shifts

POSTED: October 7, 2009

By Frank Fitzpatrick

Inquirer Staff Writer

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POSTED: October 7, 2009

Phils, Rockies have seen left-field shifts

By Frank Fitzpatrick

Inquirer Staff Writer

David Swanson/Staff Photographer

Raul Ibanez is forced out at second base in the fourth inning.

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Phils spring training

Slim Charlie Manuel

Those seeking both similarities and differences in the two teams that will meet in the 2009 National League division series, which begins today at Citizens Bank Park, don't need to look any further than left field.

This off-season, for different reasons, the Phillies and Rockies both unloaded longtime, power-hitting leftfielders. But the teams filled the vacancies created by the departures of Pat Burrell and Matt Holliday in very different ways.

Ruben Amaro Jr. signed Raul Ibanez to be the Phils' everyday leftfielder. Colorado, whose payroll was $75 million on Opening Day, went to the committee approach.

Manager Jim Tracy uses one of three players - Seth Smith (.293, 15, 55), Carlos Gonzalez (.284, 13, 29), or Ryan Spilborghs (.241, 8, 48) - in left, relying more on hunches than any sort of regular rotation.

"We usually go with the guy who makes the most sense in that situation," Tracy said yesterday. It's widely expected that he'll go with the lefthanded-hitting Gonzalez over the righthanded Spilborghs against Cliff Lee today.

That would leave Smith on the bench, from where he's been the major leagues' best pinch-hitter this season, with an astounding .472 average. It also gives the Rockies a pair of natural centerfielders - Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler - in their outfield.

Gonzalez was part of the deal that last November sent Holliday to Oakland and brought the Rockies their closer, Huston Street.

Left field is the 23-year-old Venezuelan's third outfield position in three seasons. "It was really hard early in the year, even in spring training," Gonzalez said. "It was my first time playing that position. It was real difficult, the angle. . . . I'd spent four or five years playing right field. Then they decided last year to put me in center. It was a new position for me, but I felt more comfortable there than in right field. This year, they decided to move me to left field. I was like, 'Wow, three different positions in the last three years.' But it works for me."

The three Rockies have combined to bat .271 with 36 homers and 132 RBIs, though not all those stats were compiled while they were in left.

"Those three guys have done a great job," said Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins. "Collectively, I don't think the numbers out of our leftfielders are down as much as most people thought they would be."

Contact staff writer Frank Fitzpatrick at 215-854-5068 or ffitzpatrick@phillynews.com.

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